Plano Plumber Talks About Residential Slab Leaks

Many home owners in Plano, Allen and Frisco have yards with a heavy clay base, and this can lead to foundations moving and a potential slab leak. Because they are underground, these slab leaks may not show themselves for some time. There are, however, some tell-tale signs you can look for without redecorating your foundation with a sledgehammer. Plumbers get calls like these every day. Here is what you can check for:

If you have noticed moisture or mildew underneath your carpet or if you see cracks in your tile floors or bubbles in your linoleum floors, this could be a sign of a leak. This is because as the water builds up, it often has nowhere to go but up.

It might surprise you to learn that some Plano homeowners have been able to feel them right under their feet! If you notice that one area of your floor is warmer than others, it could be a sign that a hot water line is leaking underneath your slab.

Those with acute hearing may be able to hear the hissing or splashing sound of running water.

If you notice that your baseboards or walls have started cracking, it could mean a slab leak is already here. Since your slab is one single piece that’s made of concrete and steel, it doesn’t give at all. A leak can cause the entire thing to shift. As your foundation shifts, it will start to impact your entire home – even walls and floors that are nowhere near the leak.

Major slab leaks can cause a dramatic drop in water pressure. If your water pressure has suddenly gotten very low, it could be a sign of a slab leak. Often times, slab leaks occur in the main water line where the water flows into your home from the municipality.

Pay attention If your water bills have suddenly jumped, and you can’t explain why; it could be a sign of a leak somewhere.

Sadly, the damage from slab leaks can add up pretty fast. A very small hole in one of your pipes can leak out more than 10,000 gallons of water in just one month!

If you’re really curious, you can see what your water meter is doing. After making sure all the faucets are turned off, go outside, and take a look at the meter. The dial should be stationary. If it is moving then you probably have a leak somewhere.

If they are present, check your water leak detectors. Some water meters have leak detectors inside of them that look like a small black or white triangle or wheel. If it is spinning – or moving at all – it means that you have a leak somewhere.

If you want to estimate the size of a leak, you can check your water meter reading. After turning off all faucets, washers, etc. go outside and read the numbers on your water meter. Then Leave all water faucets off for at least half an hour then check the readings again. So if you have lost 2 gallons of water in 30 minutes, that equates to 4 gallons an hour, or 96 gallons a day. Naturally, the higher the number climbs in that half hour, the more critical the issue is for immediate remedy.

The easy solution if you think your North Dallas home has a water leak is to call Signature Plumbing Company. We can quickly and efficiently diagnose the issue give you some potential methods to resolve it. Signature Plumbing Company is a family operated business, and is overseen by a licensed Master Plumber. We are proud to be a member of the Dallas Better Business Bureau.